NEW PARTNERSHIP
NEW YORK CITY FC ANNOUNCE VISIT TAMPA BAY AS AN OFFICIAL TOURISM PARTNER
NEW YORK (January 22, 2026) – New York City FC and Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) Visit Tampa Bay announced the DMO is an Official Tourism Partner of the Club for the upcoming Major League Soccer season. The collaboration launches in tandem with New York City FC's 2026 preseason, which kicks off this week in Tampa, giving fans a first look at the new partnership as the team trains in the vibrant urban heart of Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Known for its relaxing-yet-bold energy, eclectic culture, and unforgettable experiences, Visit Tampa Bay showcases all that the region has to offer, from outdoor adventures and MICHELIN-recommended cuisine to world-class entertainment. The new partnership brings Visit Tampa Bay and New York City FC together to celebrate exploration, community, and the excitement of the upcoming season.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Visit Tampa Bay to the New York City FC family,” said Ara Sarajian, Vice President of Partnership Development at New York City FC. “Kicking off this partnership while our team is in Tampa for preseason makes this announcement even more special. Tampa Bay is a dynamic destination with something for everyone, and we’re excited to help bring that energy to our fans throughout the 2026 season.”
As part of the collaboration, Visit Tampa Bay will leverage New York City FC's digital platforms and in-stadium presence to highlight the unique experiences that await visitors in the region. The partnership will also give fans the opportunity to win trips to Tampa Bay through sweepstakes and special promotions, offering memorable getaways to explore Florida’s Gulf Coast. Additional fan-focused initiatives and activations will be announced later this season.
“We’re proud to join forces with New York City FC and spread the word about Tampa Bay as an official tourism partner,” said Santiago C. Corrada, President and CEO of Visit Tampa Bay. “As the premier soccer club in our top domestic market, we look forward to sharing the story of Tampa Bay by showcasing all our destination has to offer to MLS fans in New York City, across the nation, and internationally.”
ABOUT NEW YORK CITY FC
New York City FC is an American professional soccer team that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS) in the Eastern Conference of the League. It was announced as the League's 20th franchise on May 21, 2013 and is the first and only MLS Club located within the five boroughs of New York City. New York City FC kicked off its inaugural MLS season in March 2015 and is majority owned by City Football Group (CFG). In 2021, New York City FC won MLS Cup in the Club's first ever appearance, becoming the first professional sports franchise based in New York to win a championship in a decade. In 2022, New York City FC added to its trophy cabinet by winning Campeones Cup, the annual clash between the champions of MLS and Mexico’s Liga MX.
New York City FC's affiliate team, New York City FC II, plays in MLS NEXT Pro, a professional soccer league that completes the pro player pathway from MLS NEXT, the youth academies associated with MLS, through to MLS, the top U.S. domestic league. New York City FC II plays their home matches in Belson Stadium at St. John’s University in Queens, NY and at Icahn Stadium, in Randall's Island.
New York City FC's Academy currently features teams from the U-12 to U-18 age groups and became the first Academy in the country to win back-to-back national titles at the U-19 level. New York City FC proudly supports City in the Community (CITC) foundation to use the power of soccer to uplift communities. One of the programs, New York City Soccer Initiative (NYCSI), is a first-of-its-kind public-private community partnership to open 50 mini-soccer pitches in NYC neighborhoods in five years. In 2021, NYCSI opened its 50th pitch and committed to install 26 more mini-pitches across NYC in the lead up to the FIFA World Cup 2026™ which will be hosted across the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
ABOUT VISIT TAMPA BAY
The heart of Florida’s Gulf Coast beats in Tampa Bay. Visit Tampa Bay encourages adventure with a relaxing vibe to create vacation experiences that are authentically Tampa Bay. As a not-for-profit corporation certified by Destinations International’s Destination Marketing Accreditation Program (DMAP), we work with hundreds of partners to tell the world the story of Tampa Bay. Treasure awaits. For more information, visit our website.